On 10 July, President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs paid his first foreign visit to Estonia. "Latvia and Estonia share excellent relations. In the current geopolitical circumstances, it is very important to deepen cooperation between the closest neighbours and allies, which for Latvia is clearly Estonia," emphasised E. Rinkēvičs.
During the meeting with the highest officials of Estonia, the President of Latvia discussed issues related to regional security, energy and connectivity, digital and smart technologies and investment cooperation.
In talks with the highest officials, the President of Latvia drew attention to the fact that learning Latvian and Estonian languages in schools would promote cross-border contacts and also interest at the university level. "We would be happy if Latvian language studies in Estonia would reach the same academic level as Estonian studies in Latvia. The Livonians, who are historically indigenous to Latvia, are also an important unifying factor between our two countries. We highly value Estonia's contribution to the preservation of the cultural heritage and language of the Livonians," said E. Rinkēvičs.
During his working visit, E. Rinkēvičs met with the President of the Republic of Estonia, Alar Karis, Speaker of the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu), Lauri Hussar, Head of the Estonian Government, Kaja Kallas, and Estonian Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna. President Rinkēvičs also met with former Estonian Foreign ministers who had worked with E. Rinkēvičs during his tenure as Foreign Minister of the Republic of Latvia. At the end of the visit, the President of Latvia gave an interview to the Estonian newspaper Postimees.
